A slimmed down Walker could lead to bigger rewards

Monday

Aug 27, 2007 at 12:01 AM

By Christopher WalshSports Writer

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama junior tight end Nick Walker is only part the man he was a year ago, but he hopes it will make a better player this season.Specifically, Walker has lost nearly 40 pounds since the 2006 campaign closed, and that’s not a typo or an exaggeration. After a couple of years of trying to bulk up and be something he’s really not, and not quite having the discipline he should, the new coaching staff has the 6-foot-5 Walker listed at 255 pounds — though to the naked eye he appears to be only a little bigger than true freshman Chris Underwood, who stands at 6-4, 226 pounds.“The only way it affects me is in a positive way,” Walker said. “I’m working hard right now so that I can put myself into position to hopefully have a good year. I feel like it’s my time.”What coaches envision with the newer, sleeker version of Walker is more like what he used to do in high school. Along with Vanderbilt quarterback Chris Nickson, he helped lead Pike County to the Class 3A state championship as a senior year by nabbing 67 receptions for 1,028 yards and 15 touchdowns, and was also the team’s kicker.Since arriving at the Capstone, he’s had just 12 receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown — the 1-yard catch in double overtime against Arkansas last fall.However, being leaner doesn’t mean Walker won’t be blocking. Actually, it’s probably the area of his game that’s seen the most improvement since Nick Saban’s staff came aboard in January.“Coming off the line and being able to hold on to the big boys,” Walker said with a smile. “That’s one of my biggest things that I like, personally.”Even though they all play the same position and sport similar numbers on their back, Alabama’s tight ends are about as different as the assistant coaches. They hail from different parts of the state, like Mobile, Birmingham, Prattville and Brundidge, and vary in stature from McCall at 6-foot-2 to the 6-7 Charles Hoke.Even statistics from the two fall scrimmages reflect the group’s diversity. In the first exhibition, McCall had the key play, a 43-yard reception, while redshirt freshman Preston Dial had two catches for 22 yards including a 3-yard touchdown catch from redshirt freshman quarterback Greg McElroy. A week later, McCall had two catches for 24 yards, but Walker made three receptions, including a 1-yard touchdown pass from Wilson. That depth is somewhat comparable to the receiver position, in that coaches have a lot more to work with, and can thus mix-and-match depending upon the circumstances. “Definitely,” Wilson said. “It’s good for our team. “It’s getting a number of guys who can do a number of different things. One might catch the ball and one might block a little better.” McCall, listed at 6-2, 261, is considered the best blocker, yet Saban said last week that he essentially considers both he and Walker to both be starters. “I’m always a guy that likes tight ends, to play a lot of tight ends,” Saban said. “I think they do outstanding things for us to have big blocking tight ends for your running game, and they’re one of the best mismatch players you can have in the passing game as well.” But the coach’s predecessor essentially said the same thing and last season Walker had three receptions for 39 yards, which trailed McCall’s eight for 106 yards. Both scored one touchdown. He also lagged behind in number of plays, 704 snaps to 312, with Hoke on the field for 130. McCall started 12 of 13 games, which left Walker with only one conclusion once the new coaching staff arrived, that he had to work harder. “Nick Walker has improved dramatically,” Saban said.